Illuminated lamp base



June 26, 1951 T. w. WILSON 2,558,600

ILLUMINATED LAMP BASE Filed May 31, 1946 INVENTO 7 2 170/1445 1 /001920 MSG/V.

Patented June 26, 1951 This invention relates to lamps, and particularly a lamp formed of a glass or crystal element forming a base that may be used as a lamp independently or in combination with a reading lamp on a pedestal or stand. In particular, the invention relates to a crystal body wherein light rays from a lamp bulb therein show though two points only on the surface thereof, such as the eyes of an animal in the form of which the body may be made.

The invention also contemplates a reading or desk lamp atthe upper end of a stem extending upward from the body with a light bulb or bulbs therein in which the shade. thereof represents a mushroom or device that harmonizes with the body.

To concentrate the light rays so that they emanate from two light spots only, the surface of the crystal body or base is reflecting or opaque.

To further improve the lamp, sections of the body, such as the feetor ears of an animal which it may be formed to represent, may be clear, translucent, or covered with thin or translucent material. When the body is formed to represent a tree stump, knots or surfaces from which branches or the like may be cut, may be translucent, colored, or clear.

The base or body may be used independently, and may be placed on a table or stand, or may be used as a door-stop. When it is desired to provide a dim light in a room or house, the upper light may be extinguished, and with the light beams emanating from two points only of the base, it will be dimcult for an intended intruder to ascertain whether or not the room is occupied.

The invention also contemplates a combination lamp in which a reading lamp is positioned above a base that also forms a lamp, and the base is provided with a combination switch by which the bright reading lamp may be lighted, or light may emanate only from two points or eyes of the base, or both the reading lamp and the base may be lighted.

The invention includes, in particular, a lamp A further object is to provide a combination lamp of ornamental design in which the base constitutes a complete lamp and may be used independently of the reading lamp.

With these and other objects in view, the invention embodies a lamp formed of a solid block oftransparent material, such as a crystal, in which the outer surface is diffused or opaque, with the exception of certain points therein, and the lamp bulb is incorporated in a cavity and positioned for reflection of the light rays thereof through the crystal or body, and to the points on the surface that are not opaque.

The invention also embodies the relatively solid or crystal base in combination with a desk or reading lamp having a stem extending upward from the base, and a light bulb or bulbs in a shade mounted on the stem.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a view showing a side elevation of the. combination lamp, with the light. indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the base portion of the lamp.

Figure. 3 is a view looking upward showing the cavity in the base of the lamp.

Figure 4 is a view showing a front elevation of the lamp.

Referringnow to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, the lamp of this invention comprises a substantially solid base element is, a stem 9 i, and a lamp shade H2.

The base H is a substantially solid crystal, being formed of molded glas or of transparent or partially transparent plastic, and whereas the design shown in the drawing represents a frog, it may be formed to represent other animals, fowls, objects, or the like.

The element I0 is molded or formed with a cavity I3 in the under surface, and the entire outer surface, with the exception of points such as the eyes l4, may be coated or treated so that it is opaque or at lest translucent. The continuous opaque outer surface may also be broken at points, such as the claws l5, and these surfaces may be translucent wherein a diffused light Will show therethrough. areas may also be provided to accentuate different parts of the animal or the like, such as the shoulders, elbows, ears, nose, or the like.

With a light bulb l6 positioned in the cavity Similar translucent I 7 of illumination of the room. The illuminating characteristics thereof may be varied by providing partially transparent areas at difierent points. To further produce various lighting eifects, parts of the surface may be colored and light emanating from different areas may travel in 'difierent directions.

A combination light switch I"! adapted to be operated by a button It may be located in the base, and this may be connected by suitable wires l9 to the light it and by wires 29 to a light 2! in the lamp formed by the shade l2. The light 2! maybe mounted by a socket 22 at the upper end of the stern H, and the shade I2 may also be supported at the upper ends of the stem by a bracket 23.

The stem i l' is preferably formed of a tube 24 which may be of glass, plastic, metal, or any material, and may be transparent or opaque, as may be desired. The tube extends upward from an opening 25 in the base Ill, and the wires 28 extend upward therethrough to the socket 22 of the light 2! The lamp is provided with supply wires 26 that extend from the switch ll through a slot 21 in the rear portion of the base 19. By operating the button l8, thelamp [6 only may be lighted to illuminate the base, or the lamp 2| may also be lighted to provide a reading lamp, as may be desired. Any conventional form of three-way switch may be used, and this may be operated by any means. Alternatively the device may be wired so as to permit the lighting of lamp 2| alone.

The shade 12 in the design shown represents a mushroom with the support ll illustrating the stem. It will be understood, however, that he shade 12 may be of any shape or design, and is preferably designed to correspond with the animal, fowl, or the like represented by the base.

It will also be understood that, whereas one lamp only is shown in the shade, a plurality of lights may be used therein, if desired.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact construction illustrated and 4 described because various modifications of the details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a lamp base comprising a solid block of transparent material having a flat bottom surface formed with a recess with the remainder of the block having a contour in simulation of a natural object, an opaque coating on the major portion of said contour leaving uncoated portions, an electric light bulb in said recess, a control switch for said bulb in said recess, and an operating member for said switch extending through an opening in said block.

2. In combination, a lamp base comprising a solid block of transparent material having a flat bottom surface formed with a recess with the remainder of the block having a contour in simulation of a natural object, an opaque coating on the major portion of said contour leaving uncoated portions, an electric light bulb in said recess, a stem having its lower end anchored in said block and upstanding thereirom, an electric light bulb carried by said stem at its upper end, a

lamp shade also carried by said stem and disposed over the bulb carried thereby, a control switch for both of said bulbs, and an operating member for said switch extending through an opening in said block.

THOMAS WOODROW WILSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date D. 148,969 Wilson Mar. 9, 1948 1,431,670 Klein Oct. 10, 1922 1,560,935 Florman Nov. 10, 1925 1,622,196 Howell Mar. 22, 1927 1,827,941 Gross Oct. 20, 1931 1,863,607 Sabath June 21, 1932 1,949,551 Somervell Mar. 6, 1934 2,125,906 Frei, Jr. Aug. 9, 1938 2,167,458 Lieberman July 25, 1939 2,171,116 Muldoon Aug. 29, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 20,314 Austria May 27, 1930 

